Resources approved for small businesses, childcare and people experiencing homelessness
The Seattle City Council voted, 9-0, on how it will allocate $116 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funds in direct aid provided from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as $12.2 million of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds.
The two bills allocating federal relief funds, dubbed the Seattle Rescue Plan, are here and here, and the allocations are detailed in the image below.
The legislation was written by Finance and Housing Chair Teresa Mosqueda, Council President Lorena González and Mayor Jenny Durkan.
Graphic from the City of Seattle
Included in the allocation for community and small business recovery is:
- $7.5 million for direct financial assistance to businesses and organizations affected by COVID-19,
- $5.5 million for recovery grants for neighbourhood activation, special events, and clean up,
- $2 million for recovery grants for downtown activation and special events,
- $2 million for commercial affordability support for small businesses, and
- $2 million for technical assistance for lease- and landlord-related issues.
The Finance and Housing Committee met last week, passing several amendments to the bill including:
- Shifting $3 million from the Office of Economic Development’s allocation to the Office of Arts & Culture to make grants to arts and culture organizations needing immediate funding to reopen, bring back staff, and continue critical contributions to the economic, cultural, and social vibrancy of Seattle.
- Making artists and creative workers eligible to apply for direct cash assistance from a $25 million fund set up for low-income households most impacted by the recession, and communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
- Conduct outreach and provide the resources needed to make Keep Moving Streets, such as Alki Point, permanent when the second round of federal relief arrives.
- Establish a pilot safe lot program so that the City can safely store RVs for owners who accept referrals into shelter or housing.
City Council unanimously passed both bills this afternoon, Monday, June 21. The bills now head to Mayor Jenny Durkan for consideration.
Today’s vote comes on the heels of the June 14 Seattle City Council approval of legislation to help people experiencing homelessness by investing $9 million from the city’s budget into the King County JustCARE program and reserved $3 million for the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program.
Seattle Metro Chamber President and CEO Rachel Smith spoke in support of the JustCARE program earlier in the day on June 21. Smith said she knows from her time in government that programs like JustCARE work because they are person-centred, meeting people where they are with the right kind of outreach, offering them what they need, and providing a safer more stable place to stay. You can watch this event here. The Chamber has been an outspoken advocate that the majority of these relief dollars be dedicated to solving the homelessness crisis. See our letter sent with other business associations and non-profits urging Council to prioritize homelessness spending from May here.
Additional budget legislation, also known as Seattle Rescue Plan 2, will be considered later this summer to accept and authorize spending $7.4 million of targeted ARPA funds to support seniors and $28.7 million of targeted aid for rental assistance programs. Seattle expects to receive an additional $116 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery money in 2022. These dollars will be appropriated during Council’s annual fall budget process.
